Why we're here:
This blog is to highlight the unjust persecution of legitimate non-TV users at the hands of TV Licensing. These people do not require a licence and are entitled to live without the unnecessary stress and inconvenience caused by TV Licensing's correspondence and employees.

If you use equipment to receive or record live broadcast television programmes then the law requires you to have a licence and we encourage you to buy one.

Sunday, 26 June 2011

TV Licensing and Laptop Usage

Given TV Licensing's habit of posting half-truths it's hardly surprising that I'm posting a clarification this evening.

The good people of The Student Room forums still seem a little confused about the rules regarding the use of laptops to view television.

The rules are thus:

- A licence is required for any property where equipment is installed or used to receive or record live (as broadcast) TV programmes. This means watching live TV on your laptop requires a licence.
- However, if you are using a device operating on its own internal battery (e.g. an unplugged laptop) then the licence of your usual residence will cover you. For students, this means that if your home address has a valid TV licence you will be able to use your unplugged laptop to watch live TV perfectly legally whilst at university.
- Watching pre-recorded media of any description, including that from catch up services like the BBC iPlayer and 4oD, does not require a licence at all.

I hope that improves people's understanding of the situation.

STOP PRESS: We have now created a handy guide about TV licence requirements for laptop viewers. Please download it and share it with your friends.

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